Broken For Building

Earlier this summer, I was in a funk. I lacked motivation to do the things that brought me joy. Getting off the couch and out of my pajamas were considered a victory. My mind was plagued with questions for God: questions about my future, questions about my purpose, questions about giving up. And I wrote some questions down and recorded God’s response to my questions. No, God did not verbally speak to me, but as I read scriptures and sat in silence, the following words flooded my heart and left me with no doubt that God had heard my questions and responded. God longs to hear from you. He longs to hear your questions, your thoughts, your concerns. And He longs to speak to you  and  share His perspective on the things you are concerned about.

Dear God,

What if I fail miserably and don’t live up to my expectations or worse yet, to your expectations of me? What if I lose my patience and give up? What if this experience breaks me Lord?  What if  your silence means you’ve forgotten about me? What if none of this is fruitful? What if ___________________?

Dear Child of Mine,

What if you succeed because I am building you up for this moment? What if you exceed your own expectations for yourself? What if I tell you that you don’t have to measure up to anyone in my kingdom because your path is your own? Your successes, your stumbles, your struggles are all moments for me to pour my heart into you and develop your character. What if you hold to me for dear life and don’t give up? What if this is my opportunity to show you my strength? What if this is your chance to put your total hope and trust in me? What if you did just that?

What if you realize that it is not people that make you strong, but that it is the strength I give others to share with you and that with or without those people, My strength exists, My help pushes you through?

What if you trust me with this entire process? What if instead of worrying, you laid it before me and truly left it there? What if you believed my words and the promises I have already declared over your life?

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.                                                                                                                  Jeremiah 33:3

Lord, thank you that you are Jehovah Shammah – Jehovah is There – You are there in the midst of my struggles, in the midst of my questions, in the midst of my tears, in the midst of my doubts and my frustrations. I am thankful that You are there. You are here. You will not leave me. You will answer me when I call to you.